- "Councilwoman Dillard, can you comment on the arrest of your cousin, Cornell Stokes, at Harlem's Paradise tonight, on charges of police corruption, extortion and murder?"
- ―Thembi Wallace to Mariah Dillard[src]
The Arrest of Cottonmouth was a semi-successful attempt by New York City Police Department to capture Cottonmouth and take him into custody.
Background[]
- "I'm an asshole! There's no disputing that. I am a despicable human being. But Cottonmouth is a hell of a lot worse! And I have got what it takes to put him behind bars for the rest of his life!"
- ―Rafael Scarfe to Luke Cage[src]
Detective Rafael Scarfe went to Pop's Barber Shop severly injured by having been shot by Cottonmouth, asking for Luke Cage and Claire Temple. Scarfe told Cage about the evidence he kept at his apartment to incriminate Cottonmouth, and as Cage went to retrieve it, they decided to go to the police headquarters. However, they were chased by Cottonmouth's henchmen. During the chase, their van crashed. Scarfe died on Misty Knight's hands but he gave her all data.[4]
Arrest[]
- "Cottonmouth's in jail and I'm done."
- ―Luke Cage to Claire Temple[src]
Despite Cottonmouth's best efforts. Rafael Scarfe exposed his organization before dying from his wounds. With his criminal activities down proven, Cottonmouth was arrested by the NYPD while still inside Harlem's Paradise, with Scarfe's own partner Misty Knight putting on the handcuffs and watching as Cottonmouth was escorted out of the building and to jail to await his sentencing for his many crimes including murder.[4]
Aftermath[]
- "Cornell 'Cottonmouth' Stokes' release this morning was a blow to local law enforcement."
- ―Newscaster[src]
While Cottonmouth was being held at the 29th Precinct Police Station, his lawyer Benjamin Donovan arrived to defend him. They were confronted by Misty Knight and her superior Priscilla Ridley and Donovan made it clear that there was no evidence presented against Cottonmouth other than Knight and Scarfe's testimonies, both of which could easily be questioned due to one being personally affected by the other's death. Cottonmouth sat down in his car and drove away from the police station as a free man.[5]